Hong Kong reports second Mpox case

Hong Kong reported its second Mpox infection on Saturday, with a 40-year-old male confirmed to have the disease previously known as monkeypox.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said the man visited Japan between January 14-24 and developed oral ulcers on January 31, followed by a low grade fever, headache, rashes and swelling of lymph nodes. He visited Yan Chai Hospital A&E on February 3 and tested positive for the virus.

Yan Chai Hospital. File Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Symptoms of the viral infectious disease can take five to 21 days to develop – they can be especially severe among children, pregnant women or those with suppressed immune systems

“An initial investigation revealed that he had high risk exposure during the incubation period amid his stay in Japan. According to the patient, he had not acquainted any Mpox confirmed patients during his overseas stay and had no high risk exposure after returning to Hong Kong,” the CHP said in a Saturday press release.

“As a precautionary measure, the CHP has arranged two household members of the patient to undergo quarantine and receive post-exposure vaccination. No close contacts have been identified after his onset of symptoms,” it added.

Voluntary vaccinations for high-risk groups have been available since October 5 last year. Health workers, those who work with animals, and people exposed to high risk sexual practices are considered high risk.

Last September, a 30-year-old man who had spent time in Canada, the Philippines and the US, tested positive.